Government Official Predicts Availability of Unique Smartphone Identification in Next 18 Months
Germany sets course for new digital identity card: Karsten Wildberger, the Federal Digital Minister, affirmed the progress of the digital identity card development. Speaking at the Technology Experience Convention in Heilbronn, Wildberger expressed optimism about the teams developing the digital wallet. The conference, organized by Handelsblatt and the Schwarz Group's digital division, aims to discuss advancements in digitalization.
The digital identity card, expected to be available by the end of 2026 or early 2027, will serve more purposes than online identification. Citizens will be able to sign documents digitally, open bank accounts online, and potentially store other documents like driver's licenses, health cards, certificates, or vaccination passports. The use of the digital identity card will be voluntary.
This digital identity card is part of the EU Digital Identity Wallet ecosystem, which requires EU member states to offer at least one government digital identity application by 2027. Estonia, for instance, has already standardized the use of a digital identity card.
The app's market introduction will be a gradual process, with additional functions being rolled out over time. Wildberger emphasized that no product launch in the digital world is perfect and promised not to overpromise or deliver everything on the first day.
The digital identity card is more than just a simple digital ID, representing a digitalization that reaches people and aims to simplify their lives. It is important for Europe's digital sovereignty, as around 80% of digital payments on the continent are currently handled by companies outside the EU. Wildberger raised concerns regarding sensitive payment data being sent outside the EU legal framework daily, implying the urgent need for alternatives that citizens can trust.
The digital identity ecosystem consists of mobile apps, backend systems, and specialized hardware security modules. Biometric kiosks have been introduced for easy capturing of photographs, fingerprints, and signatures during the application process. The project follows strict certification and recognition rules to ensure privacy, security, and functionality. Every entity relying on the wallet for identity verification must register and publicly declare their data use intentions, providing transparency and preventing data misuse.
Germany's digital identity card offers numerous benefits, such as greater convenience and efficiency through single access to multiple services and strong privacy protection and sovereignty by controlling who can access sensitive identity information. The project also fosters innovation and competition in the private sector, contributing to refining the user experience and security measures, as well as ensuring resilience through multiple trusted wallet options.
Europe's digital sovereignty is significantly advanced by Germany's implementation, as it ensures national control over identity data, encourages transparency and accountability, develops privacy-enhancing technologies, and promotes interoperability within the EU Digital Identity Wallet framework.
- "Citizens in Germany, equipped with the upcoming digital identity card, will not only be able to facilitate online identification but also sign digital documents, open bank accounts, and potentially store other essential documents like driver's licenses, health cards, certificates, or vaccination passports."
- "The digital identity card, an integral part of the EU Digital Identity Wallet ecosystem, is a manifestation of Europe's digital sovereignty, aiming to minimize the reliance on companies outside the EU for handling sensitive payment data, especially the 80% currently controlled by non-EU entities."
